Chapter 444: Gratitude Ceremony (1)
After their return to Ilis, the freed slaves were carefully guided back into the arms of their loved ones. Families reunited with tears and embraces, the weight of separation finally lifted. Yet, not all were met with such fortune. Many had no kin awaiting them, no friends to embrace them, no homes to return to. For those lost and alone, the kingdom made arrangements, placing them in shelters and sanctuaries where they could begin to rebuild their shattered lives under the care of kind hands and watchful eyes.
In the days that followed, Serah, accompanied by a company of knights, made her way back to Heyh to deal with unfinished business. Their target was Drosmir’s double—the man who had operated in his stead within the city, running warehouses and affairs under the guise of legitimacy. The arrest was swift and decisive, and with his capture, the kingdom seized control of all properties tied to Drosmir. Warehouses, sprawling manors, accounts of trade—all were claimed in the name of the Solara crown. The interrogations of the double unraveled truths long hidden in shadow. It became clear why every official record claimed Drosmir possessed a water affinity. The resonance test results had not belonged to him at all. The man who had always stepped forward for such trials was his double, willingly sacrificing his identity to cloak Drosmir’s true nature. The revelation struck the court like a hammer blow—Drosmir had never borne two affinities, nor any false mixture of elements. He was a pure dark mage, his affinity masked so flawlessly that it explained why he had evaded suspicion for years.
But the double was not the only one to face chains. The sweep was thorough and relentless. Supervisors, managers, and trusted workers from Drosmir’s many warehouses were arrested in great numbers, their complicity in his vile empire undeniable. Once every name was written down and every man shackled, Serah and her forces sent them all to the Solara Kingdom’s military prison, where their crimes would be judged and punished without leniency.
Meanwhile, the archivists delved deeper into the secrets of Drosmir’s underground fortress. Their efforts unearthed troves of documents—ledgers listing his buyers, scrolls cataloging his imports of slave collars, and countless scraps of correspondence and transaction records. The findings painted a damning picture of his network, but there was a hollow at its core. Most of the information, though damning, was incomplete, threads without origins or destinations. This led many archivists to a chilling conclusion: the fortress they had raided was not Drosmir’s sole stronghold. Somewhere else, hidden from even the most watchful eyes, a second fortress likely existed, containing the full breadth of his operations—the true heart of his empire.
Without proof of its location, the suspicion remained a shadow looming over the kingdom. Still, the work pressed on. Every coin, every property, every vault tied to Drosmir’s wealth was seized by the crown, stripped from his empire and redirected into the kingdom’s coffers. And with the captured lord himself locked in chains, a new Chapter began. For further investigation, Drosmir was scheduled to be questioned, his mind picked apart for every shred of useful information he could yield.
***
Meanwhile, King Tharion Magna had decreed that a ceremony of gratitude be held within the walls of the royal palace, a celebration of honor for Serah and her companions whose bravery had shattered Drosmir’s empire of shadows.
The courtyard of the palace, adorned with silken banners of crimson and gold, brimmed with nobility and dignitaries from every corner of Solara. Lords and ladies in lavish attire mingled with renowned generals, scholars, and envoys, each with a glass of wine in hand, their voices weaving together in a chorus of chatter and laughter beneath the warmth of the afternoon sun. Jewels glittered in the light, silver trays passed through the crowd with delicacies, and the air was alive with both celebration and curiosity—whispers of the princess’s deeds spreading like fire through the gathered elite.
Then, without warning, a hush rippled through the crowd. The sound of footsteps echoed above them.
From the balcony overlooking the courtyard, King Tharion Magna himself emerged, draped in his regal attire of deep scarlet trimmed in gold, the royal crest embroidered proudly across his chest. Upon his head rested the golden crown of Solara, gleaming with embedded rubies that seemed to burn like embers in the sun. Flanking him were two of the Solara Knights in full ceremonial armor, their blades crossed at their waists in silent vigilance.
The king’s presence was commanding, his figure tall and broad, his crimson eyes sweeping across the congregation below. His gaze alone carried the weight of command, silencing every last whisper until only the rustling of banners in the wind remained.
With a subtle raise of his hand, he addressed his people, his voice deep and resonant, carrying with the ease of one accustomed to command.
"People of Solara, and noble guests," he began, his tone both solemn and proud, "today we gather not for war, but for gratitude. For in the shadows of corruption and cruelty, one rose to strike a light that none could extinguish. My daughter, Serah Magna, along with her trusted companions, has dealt a grievous blow to the vile trade of Drosmir, a man who preyed upon the innocent and sought profit in chains and misery."
Murmurs stirred among the nobles, admiration mingled with awe, and all eyes instinctively sought the princess amidst the crowd.
King Tharion continued, his words deliberate, striking deep into the hearts of his listeners. "Their actions were not without sacrifice, nor without blood spilled. Brave knights gave their lives so that justice could prevail, and their memory shall not be forgotten. But today, we honor the living as well, for it was through unity, courage, and unwavering resolve that victory was seized. This kingdom shall remember their deeds for generations."
He extended his arm toward the steps of the balcony, his eyes fixed on his daughter. "Step forth, Serah Magna, Princess of Solara, Phoenix of our land. Let all gathered here witness the strength and flame of our bloodline."
The crowd erupted into applause as Serah was beckoned forward. The applause rolled like thunder through the courtyard, nobles lifting their glasses high, voices rising in cheers of "The Phoenix of Solara!" as Serah began her approach.
The princess walked with steady steps, her crimson cloak trailing behind her like a flowing flame. Though her figure was poised and graceful, there was no mistaking the subtle weight of battle still clinging to her presence. The nobles admired her beauty, but even more so the aura of authority she carried now, born not of title but of deeds.
Ascending the steps, she reached the balcony where her father stood, bowing her head slightly in respect before turning to face the gathered assembly below. The cheers softened, giving way to silence once more, all eager to hear the words of the woman who had struck fear into the heart of Drosmir’s empire.
Serah’s gaze swept across the crowd. For a heartbeat, she said nothing, her expression calm yet burning with quiet conviction. Then her voice rang out, clear as a bell, carrying over the courtyard with a strength that matched her father’s.
"My people," she began, "today you honor me, and I am humbled. But let it be known—I did not walk this path alone. Victory against Drosmir was forged not by a single flame, but by many. My companions—Jorin, Kael, Myla, Elira, and the knights who bled beside us—each of them bore the weight of this fight. Without them, without their courage and sacrifice, this day of triumph would not exist."
The nobles exchanged glances, murmurs of agreement weaving through the crowd as Serah’s eyes hardened, her voice sharpening like steel.
"And let us not forget the lives lost. Brave men fell, not for gold, not for glory, but for justice. They fought so that the innocent might walk free, so that no man, woman, or child would remain shackled in the darkness of Drosmir’s cruelty. Their names shall be honored, their sacrifice remembered, and their families cared for—as is the duty of this kingdom."
She paused, her tone softening, her fiery hair catching the sunlight like a crown of living embers.
"But today is not the end. The fight against chains and corruption is not over. Drosmir’s shadow may linger still, and there may yet be more fortresses, more villains who thrive in secrecy. We must not grow complacent. We must remain vigilant, united, and unyielding. For justice is not won in a single battle—it is defended every day, by every one of us."
Her eyes, burning red with passion, locked briefly on her father before returning to the crowd. A faint, resolute smile touched her lips.
"I do not ask for your praise. I ask for your resolve. Stand with me, stand with Solara, and let this kingdom forever be a beacon where no flame of freedom is ever extinguished."
The silence shattered. The courtyard erupted with cheers, louder than before, nobles and knights alike raising their voices as the name "Serah Magna!" thundered across the palace grounds.
King Tharion placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder, his pride unmasked, his voice carrying once more over the roaring crowd.
"You have heard her. This is Solara’s future. This is Solara’s flame."